Boy, 10, is killed in garden rope swing accident

A BOY of 10 died after getting tangled in a rope swing in his back garden, it emerged yesterday.

Billy Hughes died on Monday after getting tangled in a rope swing[PRESS TEAM]

The frantic family of Billy Hughes called emergency services to their home in Garthamlock, Glasgow, on Monday night after finding him unconscious.

The boy was taken by ambulance to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill in the city but died.

Yesterday, family members were comforting his mother, Carole, 41, and father, Scott, at their home.

Relatives, friends and neighbours paid tribute to the youngster.

A neighbour said: “Everybody around here is devastated, Billy was a lovely wee boy, very polite and well-mannered. It’s such a tragedy.

“We have been told that he was out in the garden playing on the swing himself. He somehow got into difficulties and was unconscious when his family found him.”

Another neighbour said: “It’s the most terrible thing that has happened. An ambulance arrived last night and friends of the family have been arriving at the house all day. Everyone is so upset and my heart goes out to his mother.”

Everybody around here is devastated, Billy was a lovely wee boy, very polite and well-mannered. It’s such a tragedy

A neighbour

The dead boy’s uncle Billy Hendry wrote on Facebook: “Words can’t say what I’m feeling, I’m totally devastated. The wee man will be sadly missed by us all. Love u Billy. RIP wee chap, forever in our hearts. My thoughts are with my sis and Scott and all the kids.”

Candice McIlwraith posted: “Far too many people passing away that don’t deserve it. RIP Billy. Thoughts go out to his family. Too young to die. Such a shame.”

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said the death is being treated as unexplained.

She added: “Around 9.40pm on Monday we received a report of a sudden death of a 10-year-old boy in his garden at Balveny Street, Glasgow. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course. At this time his death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are continuing.”

The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed they went to the address at 9.15pm on Monday and took a patient to the hospital at Yorkhill.

In 2003, a nine-year-old boy from Toryglen, Glasgow, died after becoming entangled in a rope washing line in the back garden of his home.